CLAIMS that grieving families could face a hike in the cost of cremating their loved ones if Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council is scrapped have come under attack.

Council leader Brian Silvester argues Crewe Crematorium may not receive funding for much-needed new furnaces if a single Cheshire council is created and the boroughs scrapped.

But Cllr Silvester's claims have been attacked by opposition leaders, while funeral directors say the greatest factor working against Crewe Crematorium is the council's own lack of investment.

Cllr Silvester said: 'Cemeteries and crematoria are places which, unfortunately, we will all have to use at some time, and in Crewe and Nantwich we are proud to provide an excellent level of service to the bereaved.

'However, if the crematorium were to close, mourners would have to travel greater distances and incur greater costs at a time when they are emotionally distraught. This cannot be right, and keeping services such as the crematorium local is important to us.'

But the leader of the council's Labour group, Cllr Steve Hogben, slammed the claims. He said: 'Cllr Silvester has chosen to prey on the feelings of the bereaved, people who are at their most vulnerable, in his turgid campaign against unitary councils.

'This release has to rank among the most distasteful that even he has issued during his political career.'

Funeral director Rob Smith, of Crewe Funeral Services, said the crematorium was not up to the standard of neighbouring ones.

'There's been a lack of investment in the crematorium, which is maybe the reason it might close.

'What you get in other areas, you don't get in Crewe. There's only one entrance and exit and the toilets are very poor.

'People have a right to a crematorium which is second to none.'

He said that his firm did not presently surcharge for travelling outside the area for cremations.

'Obviously if it became a regular occurrence we would have to look at it again,' he added.

Council direct services executive David Marren confirmed it was a possibility that funding may not be granted if the unitary option goes ahead, but said little could be done in terms of access.

'The issue of access is put to forward every year, but it's not seen as a priority and scores low in the points system,' he said.